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Method

Cut and crack the lobster and remove the meat. Slice the meat, leaving the claws whole, if desired. Place in the fridge. Break up the leftover lobster shells. Heat 1 Tbsp. of the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the lobster shells and cook 4 to5 minutes, until rich in colour and slightly toasted. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes and then strain. Reserve 1 cup of the lobster stock, cool and freeze the rest for another use.

Heat the remaining oil in another pot over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms and garlic and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the flour and tomato paste and cook 1 minute more. Stir in the wine. Slowly pour in the lobster stock, stirring constantly. Add the paprika, cayenne and tarragon. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the peas, whipping cream, lobster meat, salt and white pepper. Simmer just until the peas and lobster are heated through. Place the vol au vent on plates; spoon the lobster mixture in and around the shells. Garnish with an herb sprig, if desired.

Note: Tenderflake vol au vent shells are available in the frozen foods aisle.

Recipe Options: Make the sauce for the lobster even more decadent by adding a pinch of saffron to it after you whisk in the lobster stock. Use sparkling wine in the sauce instead of white wine. Make crab vol-au-vent by using the meat and shells of a small, cooked dungeness crab instead of lobster.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this rich dish with tiny new potatoes tossed with fresh chives, parsley or dill, and slender asparagus, steamed and drizzled with fresh squeezed lemon juice. Saffron rice, instead of potatoes, would also go well with the creamy sauce. You’ll find a recipe for it our website recipe collection.